ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has embarked on a comprehensive smart metering initiative as part of its broader strategy to digitise the power distribution network, marking a significant advancement in modernising the country’s energy infrastructure.
The Power Division has formalised an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to provide transaction advisory services, facilitating the large-scale introduction of smart meters nationwide. This project targets the installation of approximately 10 million smart meters across various electricity connections.
Both domestic and international investors are expected to participate in this ambitious program. The government aims to tackle electricity theft, enhance billing accuracy, and boost revenue collection, while simultaneously improving the overall efficiency of the distribution system.
Officials highlighted that a competitive international bidding process has successfully reduced the cost of smart meters by nearly 40 percent, making the rollout more economically viable.
The plan mandates the installation of smart meters for all new electricity connections, with traditional meters being gradually phased out to support the transition to a fully digital system. Additionally, all three-phase consumers will be systematically converted to smart meters, and commercial as well as industrial users will be incorporated into the new framework.
Efforts are underway to resolve issues related to faulty meters, with the pace of implementation expected to quicken following approval from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
Experts anticipate that these reforms will strengthen the financial health of the power sector and improve operational efficiency. The government has reaffirmed its dedication to providing consumers with reliable and high-quality electricity services as part of this transformative initiative.
